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The best BBQ in Charlottesville

The Barbeque Exchange leads our ranking for BBQ in Charlottesville. Readers voted it first in Best of C-VILLE in 2025 and 2026. Mission BBQ and Smoked Kitchen and Tap come next.

  1. 1The Barbeque ExchangeReaders' choice, 2025, 2026
  2. 2Mission BBQReaders' runner-up, 2026
  3. 3Smoked Kitchen and TapReaders' top three, 2025, 2026

11 barbecue spots are open in and around Charlottesville. The top 6 are ranked first; the rest follow.

Ranked by Guide2 from readers’ polls, critics and local food writers (how we rank). Edited by Lauren Critzer. Updated October 11, 2026. No restaurant pays to be listed or ranked.

Showing 10 places: order online. Show all 27

The top 6

How we rank
  1. The Barbeque Exchange
    Photo: bbqex.com

    1The Barbeque Exchange

    Barbecue · Gordonsville
    • Won Best of C-VILLE 2025 and 2026 for BBQ, voted by readers [1]
    Where
    102 Martinsburg Ave, Gordonsville, VA 22942
    Order onlineDirectionsCallMenuWebsite

    Checked Oct 5 · Report a change

  2. 2Mission BBQ

    Barbecue · Charlottesville
    • Runner-up in Best of C-VILLE 2026 for BBQ, voted by readers [1]
    • Finalist in Best of C-VILLE 2025 for BBQ, voted by readers [2]
    • #6 on I Love CVille's BBQ list (2017) [3]
    • #9 on Wanderlog's list [4]
    Where
    3912 Lenox Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22901
    Order onlineDirectionsCallMenuWebsite

    Checked Oct 5 · Report a change

  3. Vision BBQ and Catering
    Photo: visionbbqcville.com

    4Vision BBQ and Catering

    Barbecue · Charlottesville
    • Finalist in Best of C-VILLE 2025 and 2026 for BBQ, voted by readers [1]
    • #1 on charlottesville.guide's BBQ list [5]

    “Scratch-Made BBQ & Catering in Charlottesville, Virginia. Since opening in 2021, SWaM-certified Vision BBQ & Catering has been serving Charlottesville Southern-style craft barbecue made from scratch.”

    Where
    249 Ridge McIntire Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
    Today
    Closed for the day
    Has
    Gluten-free options · Outdoor seating · Takeout · Delivery · Live music · Catering
    All hours
    Mon11 AM to 10 PM
    Tue11 AM to 10 PM
    Wed11 AM to 10 PM
    Thu11 AM to 10 PM
    Fri11 AM to 10 PM
    Sat11 AM to 10 PM
    Sun11 AM to 10 PM
    Book a tableDirectionsOrder onlineCallMenuWebsite

    Checked Oct 5 · Report a change

More BBQ in Charlottesville

4 more · A to Z
  1. Ellie's Country Club
    Photo: elliescountryclub.com

    Ellie's Country Club

    Barbecue · Charlottesville

    “It's the perfect spot to kick back and listen to live music, have some outdoor fun, and eat and drink with some southern hospitality.”

    Where
    16 Elliewood Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903
    Has
    Live music · Outdoor seating · Full bar
    Order onlineDirectionsCallMenuWebsite

    Checked Oct 5 · Report a change

  2. Moe's Original BBQ
    Photo: moesoriginalbbq.com

    Moe's Original BBQ

    Barbecue · Charlottesville

    “Moe's Original BBQ's award-winning smoked menu features pulled pork, ribs, wings, smoked turkey, chicken as well as catfish and shrimp.”

    Where
    2119 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
    Today
    Closed for the day
    Has
    Catering · Outdoor seating · Happy hour · Kids menu · Takeout · Delivery
    All hours
    Mon11 AM to 8 PM
    Tue11 AM to 8 PM
    Wed11 AM to 8 PM
    Thu11 AM to 8 PM
    Fri11 AM to 8 PM
    Sat11 AM to 8 PM
    Sun12 PM to 8 PM
    Order onlineDirectionsCallMenuWebsite

    Checked Oct 5 · Report a change

  3. The Whiskey Jar
    Photo: thewhiskeyjarcville.com

    The Whiskey Jar

    Southern american restaurant · Charlottesville

    “NOTHING FANCYClassic Southern Food and a Fine Selection of Whiskey”

    Where
    227 W Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902
    Today
    Closed today
    On the menu
    Fried Chicken Biscuit $9 · Fried Chicken Sandwich $15
    Has
    Full bar · Kids menu · Patio
    All hours
    Mon11 AM to 10 PM
    Tue11 AM to 10 PM
    Wed11 AM to 10 PM
    Thu11 AM to 12 AM
    Fri11 AM to 2 AM
    Sat11 AM to 2 AM
    SunClosed
    Order onlineDirectionsCallMenuWebsite

    Checked Oct 5 · Report a change

  4. Twisted Oak Barbecue

    Barbecue · Charlottesville

    “BBQ that's Texas inspired, Tennessee Rooted, Crafted in Virginia”

    Where
    221 Carlton Rd #1, Charlottesville, VA 22902
    Has
    Catering · Wood-fired
    Order onlineDirectionsCallWebsite

    Checked Oct 5 · Report a change

Worth the drive

Within about half an hour of Charlottesville.

  1. Exchange Cafe
    Photo: exchangecafeva.com

    Exchange Cafe

    Barbecue · Barboursville

    “Serving an assortment of locally sourced meats, seafood and vegetables grilled over hickory coals, the Exchange Café offers visitors a sampling of the bounty of the Virginia Foothills region.”

    Where
    5359 Spotswood Trail, Barboursville, VA 22923
    Has
    Brunch
    Order onlineDirectionsCallMenuWebsite

    Checked Oct 5 · Report a change

  2. The Fishin' Pig

    Barbecue · Waynesboro

    “finest from land to sea”

    Where
    117 Apple Tree Ln, Waynesboro, VA 22980
    Today
    Closed for the day
    Has
    Takeout · Catering
    All hours
    Mon11 AM to 9 PM
    Tue11 AM to 9 PM
    Wed11 AM to 9 PM
    Thu11 AM to 9 PM
    Fri11 AM to 9 PM
    Sat11 AM to 9 PM
    Sun11 AM to 9 PM
    Order onlineDirectionsCallMenuWebsite

    Checked Oct 5 · Report a change

  3. The Wolf's Fixins Barbecue

    Barbecue · Ruckersville

    “We hickory-smoke our meats daily on-site.”

    Where
    344 N Stoneridge Dr, Ruckersville, VA 22968-3375
    Has
    Catering · Takeout
    Order onlineDirectionsCallMenuWebsite

    Checked Oct 5 · Report a change

No longer open

How we rank

Nobody at Guide2 scores the food. The ranking adds up what Charlottesville’s own judges have said in public: readers’ polls count most, then critics’ standing lists, then local press and food writers. Every point is numbered and listed under Sources below. The full method.

When our editor has eaten at these herself, her picks and notes appear at the top of this page.

What changed

Questions

What is the best BBQ in Charlottesville?
The Barbeque Exchange. Won Best of C-VILLE 2025 and 2026 for BBQ, voted by readers. Mission BBQ and Smoked Kitchen and Tap come next.
How many barbecue spots are in Charlottesville?
11 are open in and around Charlottesville as of October 2026: Bulpan Korean BBQ, Ellie's Country Club, Lazy Parrot Backyard BBQ, Mission BBQ, Moe's Original BBQ, Seoul Korean BBQ and Hotpot, The Filling Station, The Whiskey Jar, Twisted Oak Barbecue, Virginia BBQ Co and Vision BBQ and Catering. Within a half-hour drive there are 16 more, in Nellysford, Louisa, Barboursville, Fishersville, Afton, Crozet, Waynesboro, Gordonsville, Batesville, Ruckersville and Palmyra.
Which barbecue spots in Charlottesville take reservations?
1 take online bookings: Vision BBQ and Catering. The rest are walk-in or by phone.
Where can I order BBQ online in Charlottesville?
6 have online ordering on their own websites: Ellie's Country Club, Mission BBQ, Moe's Original BBQ, The Whiskey Jar, Twisted Oak Barbecue and Vision BBQ and Catering.
Is Buck Island BBQ in Charlottesville still open?
No. Buck Island BBQ has closed. For BBQ nearby, see the list above.
Is Hoo's Barbeque in Charlottesville still open?
No. Hoo's Barbeque has closed. For BBQ nearby, see the list above.
Is Jinx's Pit Stop in Charlottesville still open?
No. Jinx's Pit Stop has closed. For BBQ nearby, see the list above.
Is Moe's Original BBQ - Charlottesville - Water Street in Charlottesville still open?
No. Moe's Original BBQ - Charlottesville - Water Street has closed. For BBQ nearby, see the list above.

Sources

  1. 1Best of C-VILLE, Best of C-VILLE 2026: Best BBQ, 2026. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
  2. 2Best of C-VILLE, Best of C-VILLE 2025: Best BBQ, 2025. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
  3. 3I Love CVille, 10 Best BBQ Joints In Central Virginia, March 2017. Checked Oct 6, 2026. Archived copy.
  4. 4Wanderlog, The 12 best BBQ restaurants in Charlottesville. Checked Oct 6, 2026. Archived copy.
  5. 5charlottesville.guide, UrbanGo Listing. Checked Oct 6, 2026. Archived copy.

See something wrong? Read our corrections policy.

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